The participation of gender equity in artisanal small-scale mining in Zimbabwe

Abstract

In Zimbabwe artisanal mining is popularly known as gold panning. It is characterised by the principles of ‘get-rich-easy’, illegality, criminality, violence, abuse and affordable time-consuming method of extracting gold. The artisanal mining industry is a noble source of livelihoods in communities with endemics of poor agricultural conditions, hyperinflation, high unemployment and political instability. The zeal of young women and adolescents to have a decent living as well as to contribute meaningfully towards socioeconomic development has lured them to participate in risky poverty-driven artisanal mining. The phenomenological research design was used to study individuals in their natural setting. The method of data collection used for this study was interviewing which was lopsided to in-depth interview and data was analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The aim of this study was to explore the participation of young women and adolescent girls in hazardous artisanal mining activities in Kadoma area. The convenience and purposive sampling was used to select the participants. Data was collected through open ended interview questions. The research findings revealed that young women and adolescent girls participate directly and indirectly in artisanal mining. The factors which attracted young women and adolescent girls into mining are economic challenges, trading, drugs and illicit substance abuse, marital protection and many more. The study found that the participation of young women and adolescent girls exposed them to harm. Authors recommend creation of opportunities for economic empowerment for girls and young women and advocacy for effective enforcement of laws against artisanal mining.